Choose the buying route first
Breeders produce koi, dealers compare stock across breeders, and export specialists coordinate paperwork and transport. One business may perform more than one role. A first-time overseas buyer often benefits from a seller who can explain the fish and coordinate the exporter.
- Breeder: useful when you already know the bloodline or farm you want
- Dealer: useful for comparing varieties, sizes and budgets
- Exporter or agent: essential when international logistics and documents must be coordinated
Describe the koi you want
A useful request includes the variety, approximate size, budget per fish or total budget, destination country, pond conditions and your goal. A koi for a home pond and a koi selected for future show potential may be judged differently.
- Variety and preferred pattern
- Current size and desired future size
- Budget range and number of koi
- Destination country and preferred delivery timing
Ask for video, not only a photograph
Video helps you evaluate body line, swimming balance, fin movement and how the skin looks as light changes. It cannot replace a health inspection, but it can prevent a decision based on a single flattering image.
- Confirm that the video shows the actual koi
- Ask when it was recorded
- Check body shape from above and movement from both sides
Confirm the total cost before payment
The koi price is only one part of an international purchase. Packaging, domestic transport in Japan, export handling, health documents, air freight, import charges and local delivery can change the final amount. Request a written breakdown and ask which costs remain payable on arrival.
- Koi price
- Export and document fees
- Freight and insulated box charges
- Import, quarantine and local delivery costs
Koi Atlas can help you start
Use the directory to narrow businesses by role and region. Availability, current prices, visits and shipping are not guaranteed by a directory listing; we confirm those conditions after receiving a specific request.